03. FRIENDSHIP & GAMES

ACT ONE SCENE FOUR

FRIENDSHIP & GAMES

third person

PERSPECTIVE

HELIUS SITS ALONE. He couldn't think straight these days, after all, every good deed he attempts to do is shunned, he can't help but wonder; What more does he have to do? In order to feel accepted by society; What more does he have to do? He sighs as he looks through the Minted profile of Sahar Glace, she seemed to be living her life to her standards: it's no surprise to Helius that she caught on to his facade.

He's not a golden boy, he's a silver boy who sheds miserable tears with miserable fears.

He had good intentions when giving money to Normani Blaze and her father Jeff Blaze: his main intention was to wash away the sorrow that Jumin caused, but his actions were thought to be laced with poison by both Sahar and Normani. Helius just wanted to erase the fact another member of the billionaire bad boys club made someone penniless.

Helius looks through Sahar's profile with an impassive gaze. She seemed happy, something Helius Gray could never have. The silver boy can't have happiness, his destiny is to drown in despair and drink the shallow rainwater filled with misery.

He despised being misjudged and Sahar didn't have the right to judge him. She painted him as a bad guy and if that's what she believes him to be then Helius will become a bad guy and teach her how the social hierarchy works.

Helius picks up his exquisite phone and types in the number of Asher Devon with no remorse, the darkness plaguing his mind lead him to do his next action; if society didn't judge this golden boy, he never would've become the silver boy with daggers in his smile.

"I finally found a girl who fits the criteria for your game, her name is Sahar Glace." his words were glacial, once again, the golden boy had become silver.

sahar glacé

PERSPECTIVE

LUNCH FELT SILENT. The absence of Normani felt unbearable, both Solar and I felt lonely without the former gossip queen of Devon Academy. It was a routine for Normani to tell us all the gossip about students of Devon Academy every lunch, we always maintained our small circle and made sure none of the intense gossip sessions was heard.

This was all because of Jumin, the billionaire bad boys club member who gave no mercy towards Normani: he drained her father, Jeff of all his money, ruthlessly giving him only two percent of the profit made as he kept the ninety-eight percent. Normani would've been here with us today if it weren't for him.

"Be careful Sahar, there are people who watch you."

Solar was right. People do watch us, they notice every move. The way I was staring at Jumin gave every gossip tabloid the honour to make a huge scene out of my anger. Scandals and the billionaire bad boys club don't mix at all and the same goes for both me and the billionaire bad boys club.

We don't mix either.

"The way for us to get Normani back in this school is through Asher Devon, he has the power to loosen some strings and let her back in," Solar murmurs lowly, watching the platinum blonde with an obscure gaze. "But we have no chance, he's known to be obsessed with his self and said to despise girls."

He despises girls. That was a solid fact. I've heard countless stories of him flirting with girls and having petty one night stands only to leave them heartbroken. Asher Devon has no mercy when it comes to girls, although there could be another way around this cryptic personality trait of his.

And that was to become his friend.

"I could become his friend," my words cause Solar to let out a peal of high pitched laughter, her sudden outburst tells me that my idea is completely out of reach, in other words: it won't work. Solar wipes away the tears under her eyes before speaking.

"Asher does not become friends with girls, the only way to actually be his friend is to be a part of the billionaire bad boys club," Solar explains, her alabaster cheeks were tainted red. "However there is another method you could try carrying out." she murmurs shyly.

"And that is?"

"You could attempt pursuing him, just once." Solar says, blushing a bright red.

"And where would that get me?"

"I mean heaven, have you seen the guy!" Solar exclaims, probably fantasising about Asher's ethereal looks.

I swallow my ego. "I mean, if it does get Normani back, I could try," I shudder, Asher Devon was someone I disliked with a passion: not just because of him being a billionaire bad boys club member but a reason other than that. "But it's just a small date, I won't cross the boundaries with him because that's just disgusting."

Solar frowns. "I know you have a bad history with him, if you don't want to do this it's okay because we could find other ways to get Normani back into this school." her words were soft and laced with velvet: but I need to do this for the sake of Normani. Even if it means to go on a date with someone I have bad memories with.

I painfully smile. "It's not like he remembers anyways."

He was a drunk boy with mundane thoughts who was driven with passion. And I, I was a stupid teenage girl who made miserable decisions.

FROM SOLARS' PREDICTION she stated that Asher would be sitting alone in a cafe downtown, it was apparently his so-called safe haven. She's correct as I find him sitting by himself with a steaming cup of coffee in front of him as he scrolled through his exquisite phone with an impassive gaze.

He doesn't remember, my conscience screams. It did hurt, the fact he doesn't remember anything that occurred that night. But I was also to blame, my stupid mistakes as an irresponsible teenager put me in the position I am today. Hating Asher Devon relieved me of every guilt I felt for making such a stupid decision.

I'm doing this for Normani. She needs to come back, and if I have to go on a single date with Asher Devon then that's what I'll do. My best friend returning is my priority and my past is nothing but a walking shadow I'll forever choose to ignore.

I take a seat on the table next to Asher, making sure to move the chair back in a way that it produces any form of noise. But my attempt to gain his undivided attention doesn't work as he continues to scroll through his phone as nothing happened, as if the scraping sound of a chair didn't occur.

I frown. It was difficult, more difficult than it's supposed to be.

"Hello I'm Zeph and I'll be taking your order today, Is there anything you like on the menu?" a cute barista in his early teens inquires with a bright smile, it was filled with such luminosity that I felt like smiling too.

I scan through the menu, there was a lot to take in. I still don't know why I bother checking the menu when I know I'll always choose the same item. Before I could tell the barista what I'd like: someone else intrudes the conversation.

"I'd recommend the Luwak Coffee, it's rich in taste and mesmerising with its aroma." the person who had interrupted was Asher Devon, he had his usual pretty smile, the very smile that manipulated girls into believing they're the only girl he truly desires. I look him up and down, he had the same body gestures and the same beguiling face.

"But that's the most expensive coffee in the menu and it's five hundred dollars for a large cup!" the barista Zeph says, flabbergasted with Asher's choice of beverage. I hold back a laugh, the barista was sweet, too sweet to be a part of this chaotic world.

"I agree, it's on the expensive side, I can afford it but I like saving my money instead of wasting it on small things I can buy a cheaper alternative of." I say, completely ignoring Asher's recommendation: rebelling is what captures a billionaire bad boys undivided attention.

"Very well, I'd like to buy it for you then."

Asher throws me a winsome gaze, his platinum blonde hair was coruscating under the exquisite chandelier above him. It worried me how interested he was in buying me coffee, an expensive coffee. I was meant to be obtaining his attention through my sweet and sultry words, instead, the billionaire bad boys club member was attempting to procure my attention.

"Uh, d-do you want that?" Zeph the barista asks shyly, a pink tint appearing on his ethereal face. Asher looks at him with a deadly gaze, one that could cause any onlooker to shiver with immense fear. Zeph the barista simply walks off immediately without another word, making me watch him with slight guilt.

"You scared the poor boy."

"I know." Asher says with a grandiose smile.

"Why did you buy me a coffee as expensive as that?" I question, something didn't add up. There had to be a hidden motive, a billionaire bad boys club member like Asher is supposed to despise girls and treat them like trash. He's the complete opposite now and that worried me.

"I'm sure you know the reason why."

His conflicting words bewilders me. For once I felt truly confused. He's messing around with me for sure, and I need to know why. Unless he already has me discovered and knows Normani is my friend.

"No, I don't." I state bluntly, there's no need for him to speak in cryptic language. I'm not the type of person who is bothered to figure out what his words truly mean.

"You're beautiful and you intrigue me, is that enough?" Asher watches me with his cerulean eyes, he's deceiving me. He wants me to believe a closed dream, a desire with no destination. And I'm sure he's not doing this because he finds me beautfiul, there's a hidden motive.

For now, I'll play along for Normani.

"The infamous billionaire bad boys club member Asher thinks I'm beautiful, isn't that surprising?" I say in an overly sarcastic tone, causing Asher to look at me with a look of amusement. He felt intrigued for sure but his motive felt deadly, he is an angel that loves to sin heavily.

Asher nods his head. "And you Sahar, you're talking to me, I feel honoured."

My heart stops. He knew my name.

I felt my skin pale with tension. He doesn't remember what he did right? If he knows my name, he must know who I am.

"You know my name." I say calmly, but curiosity was driving me insane.

"Why wouldn't I? You're pretty famous on Twitter, I like all your tweets." Asher's words allow me to let out a deep sigh, he doesn't remember anything and it should remain like that until time ends.

But I won't remain sure until I know exactly what his motive is.

"My twitter is just me ranting openly about how chaotic my life is, how could you possibly relate, you do have everything." my words cause Asher to chuckle, even his laugh was melodious.

"Sometimes I can feel a little unhappy too, it's life after all," he says, taking a sip of his coffee. "People who have everything tend to feel like they have nothing too sometimes."

"So you relate to my tweets?"

Asher nods his head, a pretty smile on his heavenly face. "It's like you tweet the same time I feel down, it's pretty convenient." his dimples make an appearance and I almost found myself lost in his prepossessing gaze.

"Your Luwak Coffee." Zeph the barista says with a small smile, he looks at Asher and shivers slightly when Asher makes eye contact with him.

"Place it on my tab, Zeph."

It seems like both of them know each other very well. Solar did tell me that Asher goes to this cafe daily, he goes so daily that he must know the barista really well.

"Thank you." I murmur, taking a sip of the so-called five hundred dollar coffee. As I drink it my eyes widen, it tasted so rare, so extravagant. Is this why people spend so much on this coffee? Because it's so rich in taste.

Asher looks at my expression with a riveting gaze. "You seem to like it."

I take another sip. "It's really good."

"It's made from really rare coffee beans, I invest a lot in this coffee shop: I made sure to export these rich coffee beans so I could taste it." Asher says brightly, he seemed to admire coffee.

"That's really nice of you." I state, still delved into the taste of the coffee. I wasn't the type to enjoy coffee, it surprised me how good this even tasted.

"I don't class it as nice, if it was for me." Asher murmurs under his breath but I hear him loud and clear. His selfishness drove him to the point of him becoming obsessed with the well being of himself.

Our past was something else. It was a time before Asher was self indulged. It was a time in which Asher was slowly transitioning into the billionaire bad boys member he is today.

"Even if it was for you Asher, I'm sure some people appreciate the fact this coffee even exists in this café: you may think nobody cares but I'm sure many people are grateful for this coffee being here." my words cause Asher's breath to hitch.

"I mean I really appreciate it." I honestly state, although I didn't like Asher as a person, this coffee is truly amazing.

"I'm glad you appreciate it, this is the first time someone appreciated something I've done for myself: it's weird." he mumbles, looking at me with a enchanting gaze.

"If you don't mind, may I ask you something?"

"Ask away." Asher responds.

"Would you like to—" I pause, instead of asking for a date. I could ask Asher to be my friend: if I'm his friend then it's easier for me to ask him things. Dating him seems rather exhausting when I have a bad memory with him.

Asher looks at me, waiting for me to continue.

"Would you like to be my friend?" I ask him, waiting for the taste of rejection.

"I thought you'd never ask," Asher smiles, his smile catching me off guard. "I'd like to be your friend, Sahar."

I knew he wasn't being genuine but for once, for once it felt like the truth. I knew he was lying to me since there has to be an ulterior motive behind his extravagant smile and kind words.

third person

PERSPECTIVE

two hours later

"You're right, she's the perfect girl for my game." Asher says, looking at Helius with an intrigued gaze. He enjoyed Sahar's presence, he didn't find her irritating like other girls he has met. And that's why she made the perfect candidate for his game.

Helius nods his head, his golden aura was not so golden anymore. "She figured me out in the matter of seconds, she's a threat to our club." he murmurs, for a moment he felt bad for the girl but she judged him like everyone else and he despised that.

"Definitely worthy of my game." Asher says mischievously, let's see how long she lasts, he thought to himself. Asher loved a good challenge and Sahar seemed like the best candidate.

"Remember Luca must not know of this, if he does then he'll deal with Sahar Glacé himself."

and i oop. it's getting interesting. what do you think asher's game is? what do you think happened between asher and sahar? why do you think helius does not want luca to know of sahar?

thank you all for 3000 reads! i appreciate it so much :)

and an amazing reader made these covers for the billionaire bad boys club. which one is your favourite?